on October 28, 2010
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:13-16
Prayer Focus:
Oh what power of God is unleashed when the church begins to pray for one another. When was the last time you determined that the best approach to dealing with your troubles was to make prayer meeting a priority? That’s exactly what James stresses. If you have no troubles, then sing songs of praise, and we’ll rejoice with you.
Have you ever considered the faith-filled prayers and anointing of the church elders as importantly as you have the prescriptions of doctors? In our culturally and medically advanced society we may be scorned for such considerations, but the truth remains that all healing comes from God, and if He prescribes prayer and anointing for healing then it would be wisdom to avail ourselves to His counsel. This approach does not undermine or diminish the value of doctors and good medicines, but your elders, and the mature brothers and sisters in Christ, are eager to pray for you.
There is a huge difference in our mind and spirit when we know that the Lord has raised us up, and not the doctor. We live in a culture that runs to the doctor for every little pain and ailment, and thereby demonstrate great faith in the doctor and medicine to heal us. If we really believed that God is eager to meet with us in His great doctor’s office – the Throne Room, we wouldn’t find it hard to go to Him first in prayer, rather, we’d have a hard time wanting to hurry out of His Office.
Sometimes our illness may bring haunting memories of our sin, or, it may be that we believe our illness was caused by some disobedience and wayward action. This is an important time to benefit from the prayers of the church. James says, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Why? Because, “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” We can benefit profoundly from the prayers of those who do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, for the right reason. Their prayers will bring healing and righteousness to our own lives. Since we all have so many things that need healing, let’s make praying for each other a high priority in the life of the church!
Thursday:
- Praise God for the gifts of prayer and brothers and sisters who will pray with us.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team (in prayer if not in person).
Friday:
- Ask God to teach you the importance of Christians praying together for each other.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Derek & Ashley Morris, Jarrett Northan (Sarah Logan – fiancée), Jon & Rachel Perryman (Kaitlyn)
Saturday:
- Take your troubles and cares to God in prayer today. If you don’t have any, then sing praises!
Sunday:
- Pray for healing in the lives of others in the church – physical, mental, emotional, relational, spiritual, financial healing for everyone.
- Join in with our Sunday prayer services to pray for God’s presence and blessing.
Monday:
- Pray for the relationship between the elders and the congregation, that there will be a great freedom and trust to seek prayer and anointing for the things that need healing.
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Pray that our church will be a fellowship where members freely confess their faults and where they readily and regularly pray for one another.
Wednesday:
- Pray that our church will be a righteous fellowship that prays powerfully and effectively.
Prayer Challenge: Learn to take everything to God in prayer first. Before seeking help from all other sources, make an appointment with God to address the things that trouble you and need healing.